Botswana

From the lush Okavango Delta to the Kalahari Desert, Botswana offers unique beauty, incredible game populations, wonderful birding and a variety of activities including horseback safaris, boating in the Delta, quad biking on the salt pans, walking with the San Bushmen and hanging out with the meerkats

Because of the unique water and desert options, we generally suggest an itinerary that gives you a bit of both. Fly-in safaris make transfer times between camps short and easy. And you get a bird’s eye view along the way.

Botswana is about the size of the state of Texas and sparsely populated. Nearly 40% of Botswana has been set aside as massive private reserves and national parks. Shortly after independence in 1966, diamonds were discovered in the Kalahari and the economy got a jump-start. Today, Botswana is considered one of Africa's success stories with a growing economy, political and social stability. The government has encouraged high quality, low impact tourism and the industry now employs 45% of the people who live in the northern part of the country. English is the official language and Setswana is the most widely spoken African language. More than half the population is of people of the Bantu heritage. Botswana has a high literacy rate and education programs are offered to both boys and girls.

Botswana Namibia Zimbabwe South Africa Central KalahariGame Reserve KhutseGame Reserve MadikweGame Reserve Tuli Block KgalagadiTransfrontierNational Park ChobeNational Park MamiliNational Park Linyanti Swamps Savute Channel Savute Marsh Nxai PanNational Park ●Livingstone ●Victoria Falls Francistown ● Gaborone ● ● Kalahari Desert MoremiGame Reserve MudumaGame Reserve Caprivi Strip SelindaPrivate Reserve Makgadikgadi PansNational Park Okavango Delta ●Kasane Maun Okavango River Kalahari Desert
Botswana Highlights

The Okavango Delta

Photo: Carol Oken
Photo: Carol Oken

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Photo: Uncharted Africa Safari Co.
Photo: Carol Oken

Selinda, Linyanti and Kwando Reserves

Photo: Great Plains Conservation
Photo: Great Plains Conservation

Chobe National Park

Photo: Carol Oken
Photo: Carol Oken

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Photo: Wilderness Safaris
Photo: Wilderness Safaris

The Okavango Delta is the "must see" of Botswana, a phenomenally beautiful wilderness oasis in the midst of the Kalahari Desert. Covering an area of 9,300 square miles, this is one of the largest inland deltas in the world. The permanent wetlands are enhanced each year when the floodwaters from the Angola highlands flow southeast into the Delta ecosystem. This is an incredible wildlife and wilderness sanctuary with islands and floodplains, water channels and lagoons. You can safari by boat and mokoro through the waterways giving you a different viewing experience of the area. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, the Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammal, such as the cheetah, white and black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion.

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is a relic of one of the world's largest super-lakes, which dried up thousands of years ago. Some say these shores were the setting for the mysterious transition from ape to man. This prehistoric lake basin area feels like it's out of a film, complete with shimmering mirages in the heat of the sun as you scan the endless horizon. Although nothing grows on the saltpans, the areas around them are transformed into lakes and grasslands during the seasonal rains. This is a wonderful area for birding and observing meerkats, brown hyena, spring hare and jackal. The giant baobabs here have served as directional signposts for centuries.

Photo Credit: Carol Oken

Selinda, Linyanti and Kwando Reserves are large private concessions concentrated around permanent rivers. In contrast to the watery Okavango Delta, this scenic area boasts grasslands, forests and woodlands along with the marshy areas near the river. There are no fences, so animals move freely.

Chobe National Park features a large portion of Botswana's elephant population and they are known for their legendary size.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) dominates the center of Botswana and was intended as a sanctuary for the San Bushman. Until the late 1980s very few visitors came here. Mark and Delia Owens, a young American couple who came to Deception Valley in 1974 spent seven years living in this unexplored area. Their best-selling novel, "Cry of the Kalahari" is passionate accounting of their adventures. CKGR is a great choice for a desert safari experience for those interested in a remote setting, and the opportunity to encounter the San Bushman. The San, whose ancestors have been in this area for 30,000 years, have a rich cultural life of music, dance, art, crafts and healing with their gatherings from this area.

Itineraries

Botswana offers unique water and desert safari camps and Victoria Falls is an easy extension.  Here are some set departure and sample itineraries to give you some ideas about what you can do in Botswana.  

Great Wilderness Journey

Set Departure Itinerary
11 Days/10 Nights   
This is a nostalgic, turn-of-the-century deluxe camping safari. The journey recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers.  Begin with a tour of Victoria Falls, the largest curtain of water in the world. You will see Botswana's famous Okavango Delta and the wildlife-rich Linyanti and Chobe River systems. This safari features a diverse range of activities including day and night game drives, guided walking and water based wildlife viewing.

Photo: Kathie Broyles
Photo: Kathie Broyles
Photo: Dana Allen
Photo: Dana Allen
Photo: Mike Myers
Photo: Wilderness Safaris
Photo: Mike Myers
Photo: Wilderness Safaris

Itinerary

Day 1           Livingstone & Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

After arrival in Livingstone you will be met and transferred to the meeting point for your guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.  At 5,604 feet wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops 338 feet into the basalt depths of the sheer Zambezi Gorge.

Later you will check in at Toka Leya Camp on the banks of the Zambezi River in the western area of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, some seven miles up from the Victoria Falls.  Accommodation consists of 12 safari-style tents, each en-suite with a view of the magnificent Zambezi River. The camp’s dining and bar area are under a canopy of trees overlooking the River and a sparkling swimming pool.

1 Night at Toka Leya Camp

Days 2 - 4     Chobe National Park & Linyanti Concession

After a full breakfast you will transfer by road to Livingstone Airport.  You will leave Zambia flying over the Kazangula border, a point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet.  Enjoy a leisurely shaded boat cruise along the Chobe River, with a light lunch. This boat cruise offers a unique opportunity to observe puku, large herds of elephant, numerous pods of hippo and large crocodiles, as well as enjoying fantastic views of other general game and diverse birdlife.

You will then depart by light aircraft transfer to the private Linyanti Concession. After a short game drive you arrive at your private camp, which is elegantly set up under African ebony and knobthorn trees overlooking panoramic vistas of the Linyanti Swamps.

The landscape of the Linyanti varies from floodplains to open dry land savannah and forest with sweeping views, creating a paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include game drives in the private northern sector of the concession, exploring a range of habitats from riverbanks to scrub and forest, with a myriad of wildlife en route to slake their thirst from the river. The seldom-seen sitatunga can also be spotted in the waterways, as well as rare plains game such as roan and sable antelope and of course their predators, the lion and leopard - with the endangered wild dog as an incredible bonus.

Enjoy a full day excursion to the Savute Channel, which is now flowing for the first time in three decades. After lunch you can siesta in hammock and feel thankful you are here!  You will gain a good understanding of the geology of Northern Botswana, the relationship with the Great African Rift Valley and the chink in the fault line, where the Savute Channel begins.  Water is now reaching into the heart of Chobe National Park through the Linyanti Reserve and game viewing is diverse and abundant.

3 Nights at Linyanti Discover Camp

Days 5 – 7        Okavango Delta

You will transfer by light aircraft to the Okavango Delta where your tented camp is nestled under acacia trees in the private 6,000-hectare Santawani Concession, in the south-east corner of the Delta.  The woodland habitat gives way to open grasslands which can transform into floodplains in years of plentiful water.  Your camp features en-suite tents with the bathroom at the rear of the tent separated by a zip door. Hot water is available anytime for the bucket shower.  Shampoo, soap, shower gel and body lotion is provided.  You’ll sleep on comfy beds with pure cotton linens and a duvet. There is a bedside table with a 12-volt light and wardrobe for your things.  Paraffin hurricane lanterns and a crackling campfire set the ambience in the evening, while meals are prepared by your camp staff and served at a long table in the thatched dining area.

3 Nights at Gomoti Tented Camp

Days 8 – 10      Okavango Delta

After breakfast you'll board a light aircraft which will fly you over the shimmering water world of the Okavango Delta. The Delta encompasses life at its most fertile: abundant water, sunlight and nutrients fuse to produce a wetland paradise teeming with life. 

3 Nights at Xigera Camp

Xigera Camp is a luxury tented camp situated in the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta. The camp is found on the aptly-named Paradise Island, surrounded by year-round water and lush vegetation. You will stay in one of the nine beautifully furnished en-suite tented rooms offering views over a seasonal floodplain and small lagoon. Meals and drinks are enjoyed under the thatch of the raised lounge, pub and dining area overlooking a permanently flowing channel. A traditional boma offers alternative dining under the African stars. Wooden walkways wind through the forest connecting the rooms to the main area. There is a plunge pool for cooling off and relaxation. The wooden footbridge, a unique feature to Xigera, connects Xigera Island to the next one and is often used by Lion and Leopard moving between the islands allowing guests great viewing opportunities.

Enjoy a true Delta experience while you sit back in a mokoro (dugout canoe) and silently glide through the tranquil Okavango waterways or watch the sunset and birds gliding home to roost from a motorboat on the Xigera Lagoon. When water levels permit, game drives (usually September to May) allow the opportunity to observe wildlife and the unique Delta scenery from the comfort of a Land Rover.

Birding in the area is excellent, with Pel’s Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, African Skimmers and a host of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers to be found. The area has the highest density of the rare Sitatunga antelope found anywhere in the Delta.

Day 11:  Maun, Botswana
You will take a light aircraft transfer to Maun Airport where you will continue your onward journey.

The Great Wilderness Journey Prices

2018 Departures Price Per Person Single Supplement
May & November $10,974 per person
June 1 - October 31 $12,467 per person
2018 Departures
May 2, June 2, July 17, August 7, September 24, October 18
* A minimum of two confirmed guests is required for this departure. No single supplement charged. No triple rooms are accepted. Maximum of seven guests can be accommodated.
Price Includes:
All transportation as specified in the itinerary, driver/guide services
Park fees
All meals and drinks (except premium brands)
Laundry
Price Excludes:
Airfare (other than what is specified in the safari itinerary)
Gratuities, travel insurance, visa fees, entry and departure taxes, any personal purchases, phone calls
Optional activities such as pre or post-safari plans.
Arrivals:
Please arrange to arrive on a morning flight from Johannesburg. You must be ready to depart with the guide no later than 1 p.m. on Day 1. Later arrivals will be subject to extra costs.
Departures:
Please arrange for a flight that departs from Maun after 1 p.m. on Day 11. Earlier flights will require an additional transfer which is subject to extra costs.
Private Departures:
This itinerary can be custom tailored for groups of four to seven guests for flexible dates and other accommodation choices.
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Horseback Safari in Botswana

Set Departure Itinerary  
6 Days/5 Nights
This adventure is ideal for friends and families with some riding experience who yearn to safari. You will be in the saddle for at least four hours each day giving you thrilling encounters with wildlife over a wide range of terrain and stunning scenery. Explore the Okavango Delta on horseback, and also on game drives, guided walks and in mokoros through the waterways. The private camps accommodate a maximum of eight travelers in spacious, tented camps with en-suite bathrooms.

Photo: Okavango Horseback Safaris
Photo: Okavango Horseback Safaris
Photo: Okavango Horseback Safaris
Photo: Okavango Horseback Safaris
Photo: Okavango Horseback Safaris

Itinerary

Day 1
You are met at the Maun Airport and transferred to camp by helicopter or fixed wing plane.  After lunch you will be given an introduction and safety briefing, following by an orientation ride of one to two hours.

Day 2
Start off this morning with a ride in the Xudum area. Wade through lush green malapos that lead you from island to island. Surprise a timid reedbuck out of its dense cover on a heavily wooded island; enjoy herds of lechwe and giraffes moving through the open spaces. Return to camp for lunch and a siesta followed by an afternoon game drive with sunset drinks.

Day 3
Ride eastwards to two very large Delta islands. Breeding herds of elephants enjoy the security of the dense forest and travel from pan to pan leaving a lattice of large paths. Zebra, wildebeest and buffalo are also attracted to this area. Animal tracks abound, telling you about what has passed through – or what you might still find. Arrive at your second camp in time for a late lunch followed by an early evening guided walk to learn more about the birds of this area.

Day 4
You’ll be ready for a full-day ride stopping for a nice a picnic lunch. This area forms seasonal marsh lands and hosts a variety of exceptional birdlife. Wildlife moves freely to and from Moremi Game Reserve and this is good buffalo and elephant country. Return to camp in the cool of the late afternoon.

Day 5
This morning’s ride returns to the first camp along the western route, cutting through rain pans and visiting deep hippo pools. You will bid goodbye and continue your onward journey.

Set Departures:
- This riding safari operates on a scheduled departure basis. These horseback safaris explore three main river systems – the Xudum, Matsibe and Kiri rivers – in the Okavango Delta. Itineraries vary according to water levels and game movements. Contact us for dates, prices and availability.

Private Departures:
- This itinerary can be custom tailored for groups of up to eight travelers for flexible dates and routes. We can also incorporate this riding safari into an extended Botswana safari itinerary.

Skill Level:
- Riders must have the minimum of basic riding skills -- ability to post to the trot for stretches of ten minutes at a time, to be comfortable at all paces and to be able to gallop out of trouble. It is a great advantage if you are a fit and a proficient rider. Tack is English Style and each saddle has a seatsaver for comfort.  Riders spend between four to six total hours in the saddle each day, with rides of no more than two hours without a break for walks, snacks or lunch.  

Horses:
- The horses are between 14 and 17 hands, well-schooled, responsive and even tempered. There is a wide range of horses (over 60) suitable for the competition rider to a steady hack. Every effort is made to match horse and rider.

Non-Riders:
- We can easily accommodate non-riders in the group with their own guide for game drives, guided walks, and riding through the Delta channels in mokoros. They meet up with their riding partners for breaks and meals as the day allows.  

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Selinda Adventure Trail

Set Departure Itinerary

4 Days/3 Nights

The Selinda Adventure Trail replicates the safari experiences of old as you navigate along the Selinda Spillway over four days, camping for three nights along the banks of the river.  Dome tents are furnished with a comfortable bedroll and quality linens.  Meals are prepared on the fire by the cook to enhance the “old school” experience.  Hot bucket showers are a nice way to end the day. The itinerary is primarily dictated by water levels, so guests will enjoy either a guided walking safari or a combination of walking and canoeing.  The combined canoeing and walking expedition will only operate when water levels are high enough to allow passage along the entire length of the trail from the start point to its end point at Selinda Explorers Camp.  This becomes a true “safari” with guests not knowing which expedition they will begin until the helicopter lands.

Photo: Great Plains Conservation
Photo: Great Plains Conservation
Photo: Great Plains Conservation
Photo: Great Plains Conservation
Photo: Great Plains Conservation

Brief Itinerary

The adventure begins with a thrilling 20 minute helicopter journey to the remote starting points in the vast 320,000 acre Selinda Reserve.  Days are either spent paddling along in two-person canoes, stopping whenever there is something of interest along the banks or walking with your team including a professional guide, tracker, and chef.   The area is a birding paradise and well known for elephant, buffalo, sable antelope, roan antelope and African wild dog. You could very well come across cheetah, lion, leopard and variety of other species. Your evenings are at private campsites.  On your last day, you will be transferred by road back to the Selinda airstrip for your onward journey.  This safari operates with a maximum of eight guests with experienced guides and camp crew.

Each canoe carries two guests, their bed rolls and bags. Participants paddle their own canoes each day. No previous paddling or canoeing experience is needed, but participants must be strong enough to paddle their own canoes, and fit enough to walk between camps when levels are not sufficiently high on the Selinda Spillway.  You will be supplied with a day pack for the walking trail.  The walking distance is roughly 12 miles and the canoeing distance is 24 miles.

Depending on the group size, each safari will be hosted by four to six staff including a guide, cook and camp stewards. Your professional guide has extensive experience in big game areas and excellent interpretive skills to bring the environment alive.  Guides carry a rifle for safety while on the water, while walking, and in camp.

This safari is all about taking a break from today’s world.  The Selinda Spillway runs through a remote part of northern Botswana, in areas where guests will be completely removed from the modern world.  The equipment will be carried on the canoes and the camps will be rustic, yet comfortable.  The dome tents are large enough for two, and guests sit on chairs around a well-appointed dinner table each evening.  Shared facilities include bucket showers with hot water in the evenings and long drop toilets.

Selinda Adventure Trail Prices

2018 Departures Price Per Person Single Supplement
May 2 - September 10 $2,850 per person sharing
2018 Departures
May 2*, 8*, 15, 21 & 27, June 2, 10*, 17, 22 & 29, July 5, 11, 17, 24 & 30, August 5, 11, 17, 23 & 29, September 4 & 10

Price Includes:
-  Camping accommodation on a sharing basis, all meals from lunch on Day 1 to the end of the safari, a reasonable amount of soft drinks, wine and beer at meal times; private walking guide and tracker or canoeing guide, helicopter transfer from the Selinda airstrip to start point, and Selinda Reserve fees.

Price Excludes:
-  Air transfers and internal flights, gratuities, compulsory travel insurance, visa fees, entry and departure taxes, any pre- or post-safari plans.

Set Departures:
- This camping safari is guaranteed on a scheduled departure basis with a minimum of two guests and a maximum group size of eight. 

Private Departures:
- This itinerary can be custom tailored for groups of up to eight guests and is easily done as part of a longer Botswana safari. 

Arrivals & Departures:
- The safari begins on Day 1, mid-afternoon and ends on the last day in the morning.  We recommend spending a night at Selinda Camp, Selinda Explorers Camp, or Zarafa before or better yet, after the safari.

Children: 
- Children must be at least 14 years old for this safari due to the daily walking distances.   Families with children ages 10-13 will need to book a private departure which may be subject to additional cost.

* Indicates 5 day/4 night trail departure.  The cost is $3,600 per person sharing.

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Okavango Channels & Plains

Set Departure Itinerary

7 days/6 nights

Summer in Botswana is full of dramatic skies, vibrant floral displays and many species giving birth.  The predators take full advantage of the young prey providing some exciting wildlife viewing.  Birding is outstanding with many intra-African and Palearctic migratory species are on view. You will explore the waterways of the Delta and the wildlife-rich savannahs of the south-eastern corner of the Okavango.

This safari is led by a qualified professional guide who will share their knowledge and passion for the region. You will be traveling in a small group with a minimum of two and maximum of seven safari-goers. 

Photo: Dana Allen
Photo: Wilderness Safaris
Photo: Wilderness Safaris
Photo: Dana Allen
Photo: Dana Allen
Photo: Will Burrard-Lucas

Itinerary

Days 1 – 3:  Satawani Concession

Your journey begins at Maun International Airport where you will meet your guide and be transferred by road for approximately 2.5 hours, passing through small villages on your way to your first camp.

Gomoti Tented Camp lies in the south-eastern corner of the Okavango Delta. The camp is nestled under large acacia trees in a diverse, game-rich area. In years of plentiful rain, the grasslands can be transformed into seasonal floodplains.

Your canvas tent has a private, en-suite toilet and shower as part of the structure.  Designed to recreate the style of the early explorers, with everything you need.  Paraffin lanterns and a crackling campfire set the ambience in the evening.  Your staff will create meals which are served in a thatched dining area overlooking a waterhole. Activities include day and night game drives and guided bush walks.

3 Nights at Gomoti Tented Camp

Days 4 – 6:  Okavango Delta

You will fly by light aircraft over the shimmering channels of the Okavango Delta to Xigera Camp where you will be exploring the Delta by boat and traditional mokoro for the remaining days.  Game drives will be dependent on the water levels. Birding in the area is excellent, with Pel’s Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, African Skimmers and a host of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers to be found. Sightings of the rare Sitatunga antelope are likely here, along with leopard, elephant and hyaena

Xigera Camp is found on the aptly-named ‘Paradise Island’, surrounded by almost year-round water and lush vegetation.  There are en-suite tented rooms which offer views over the seasonal floodplain and lagoon. Wooden walkways wind through the forest connecting the rooms to the main area. The camp is 100% solar powered and there is a swimming pool for hot afternoons.

3 nights at Xigera Camp

Day 7

Transfer by light aircraft from Xigera to Maun International Airport for your onward arrangements.

2018 Departures Price Per Person Single Supplement
January 1 – April 30 & November 1 – December 30 $4,317 per person sharing
Departure Dates 2018
January 13, February 21, March 22, April 13, November 24 & December 24

Prices include

Accommodation, three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees,

refreshments on game drives, waterborne/game viewing activities while on safari, limited laundry, park fees and airport taxes, road transfers, seat on charter plane as specified, services of camp staff and an English-speaking, private safari guide.

Prices exclude

International air & intra-Africa air, gratuities for your safari guides, camp crew, lodge staff, porters, drivers and mokoro polers, visa fees, travel insurance, premium brand spirits, champagne and fine wines, any pre- or post-safari plans, or additional activities not specified

Additional Safari Notes

- Private Departures - This itinerary can be custom tailored for groups of up to eight guests.

- Single Supplement – There is no single supplement on this set departure itinerary.

- Children – Children ages 12+ are welcome on the set departures.  For families with younger children, we can organize a private departure.

- Triple Rooms – No triple rooms are possible.

- Transfers - This itinerary includes travel by light aircraft and overland transfers in customized 4X4 safari vehicles.

- Arrival & Departure - This itinerary begins and ends at Maun Airport.  We will design your itinerary so that you arrive in time to depart with your private guide by 1:30 p.m. on the first day.   And we will coordinate your onward flights on the last day to be after 1 p.m.

- Dietary Requests -  Most dietary requests can be accommodated with advance notice.  We will coordinate to make sure that you are well prepared for your trip, and that the camps know of your requests.   

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Botswana Expedition

Botswana Expedition
Set Departure Itinerary​
9 Days/8 Nights
This Classic Explorer Safari takes you to the renowned regions of  Chobe National Park, Savute and the Okavango Delta on a spectacular eight night mobile camping adventure. Enjoy a combination of land and water activities - game drives, bush walks, private boat cruises and mokoro excursions. Your rustic yet comfortable camps allow you to get closer than ever to the spectacular African wilderness, with a staff to attend to your needs.  Your experienced private guide will be with you for the entire trip, offering a  wealth of knowledge throughout your adventure. 

Photo: Carol Oken
Photo: Cathie Broyles
Photo: &Beyond
Photo: Carol Oken
Photo: Carol Oken
Photo: Carol Oken

Itinerary

Day 1: Chobe National Park
Your journey begins at Kasane Airport where you will meet your private guide and transfer by road to your first camp in Chobe National Park, where you will spend two nights. Chobe National Park is home to thrilling action-packed wildlife interactions and the largest concentration of elephants in Africa. Here you can embark on thrilling game drives and enjoy a spectacular private boat cruise on the Chobe River.

Day 3: Savute - Chobe National Park
The next leg of your tour will be a game drive transfer that will take you into the beautiful Savute area of the Chobe National Park, your camp for the next two nights. The area is known for its large prides of lion, African wild dog, leopard and spotted hyena that prowl the landscape in search of prey. Adventures in Savute include game drives and the opportunity to see volcanic outcrops and Bushman paintings.

Day 5: Okavango Delta
After exploring the Savute, you will embark on a scenic game drive to the glorious Okavango Delta for a two night stay.  Situated on a private concession, on the banks of a seasonal waterway overlooking the celebrated Moremi Game Reserve, you will be spoilt for choice at the assortment of excellent wildlife sightings in the area. This particular region of the Delta offers some of the best wildlife encounters where you can see lion, leopard, African wild dog, kudu, elephant semi-aquatic lechwe, hippo, and giraffe. 

Day 7: Okavango Delta - Nxabega
On the final leg of your journey you will fly to the famous Nxabega concession, in the Okavango Delta, for your final two nights. Here you will experience an adventure-filled mix of land activities from game drives and bush walk and water activities (seasonal) like mokoro and catch-and-release fishing. 

Day 9: Departure
Today, you guide will accompany you to Maun and will wave a fond farewell as you board your flight homeward (or onward) from Maun International Airport.

2018 Departures Price Per Person Single Supplement
February 1 - May 31 & November 1 - December 31 $4,220 per Person Sharing
June 1 - October 31 $7,510 per Person Sharing

Departures
Please contact us for set departure dates, single supplements and discounted rates for children ages 12 to 16.

Prices Include
Accommodation, three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees,refreshments on game drives, waterborne/game viewing activities while on safari, emergency medical evacuation insurance, National Park entrance fees while on safari, road transfers during your safari, seat on charter plane as specified,domestic airport tax within Botswana, services of camp staff, services of an English-speaking, private safari guide.

Prices Exclude
International air & intra-Africa air, gratuities for your safari guides, camp crew, lodge staff, porters, drivers and mokoro polers, visa fees, travel insurance, premium brand spirits, champagne and fine wines, any pre- or post-safari plans, or additional activities not specified

Private Departures: 
- This itinerary can be custom tailored for groups of up to six guests.

Recommended Extensions:
- A trip to Victoria Falls is highly recommended as a pre-safari.

Set Departures:
- This serviced camping safari is privately guided and guaranteed on a scheduled departure basis with a minimum of two guests and a maximum group size of six.  Camps have three en-suite tents and a specially customized 4x4 safari vehicle.

Fitness Required:
- This safari is suitable for reasonably fit people. The itinerary includes walking and some rugged conditions.

Age Limits:
- Children must be 12 years old for this safari. The upper age limit for this safari is 70 years, however, guests between the age of 70 and 75 years may be accepted provided that they produce a medical certificate stating that they are fit to travel.

 

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Family Safari in Botswana

Sample Itinerary 
10 Days/9 Nights  
Family safaris are memorable experiences for young and old and everyone in between! One of our preferred providers offers family safaris in Botswana for children ages four and beyond. They have a commitment to safety, gracious hospitality, and an enthusiasm for sharing the wonders of our magnificent natural world. This itinerary offers a spectacular array of experiences—from boating on the waterways of the world’s largest inland delta, to tracking elusive predators in the Moremi Game Reserve, to quad-biking on the vast saltpan, and visiting meerkats! This is an incredible opportunity to gain a holistic understanding of the magical and pristine wilderness environments of Botswana.

Photo: Uncharted Africa Safari Co.
Photo: Uncharted Africa Safari Co.
Photo: Uncharted Africa Safari Co.
Photo: Uncharted Africa Safari Co.
Photo: Uncharted Africa Safari Co.
Photo: Uncharted Africa Safari Co.
Photo: Uncharted Africa Safari Co.

Itinerary

Day 1:  Mobile Expedition – Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve
Your zoologist/biologist guide will meet you at the Maun airport and transfer you by road into the Moremi Game Reserve where your first camp is situated. You’ll have time to shower and unpack before sundowners and dinner.

Your safari begins with a private, mobile camp set in a remote wilderness area.  The comfortable, spacious en-suite tents are well appointed with 1920s luxury and style. Meals are prepared from the freshest ingredients and beautifully served on tables decked with crisp white damask and silver. Your experienced guide will be at your side as you watch lions hunting or silently observe elephants. You will glide through the maze of channels admiring the fantastic bird life and learn the ecology of the waters. Your camp crew will set up a fly-camp for you to sleep out under the stars one night and you’ll be lulled to sleep by the nighttime sounds of the bush. 
6 Nights in Private Camps set in the Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta

Day 2
Head out in the safari vehicles for your introduction to some of the animals of the dry floodplain environment, looking for zebra, wildebeest, impala and predators such as wild dog and cheetah.

After lunch and siesta, head out again to park at the edge of a lagoon and watch herds of elephant and a myriad of birds coming down to drink whilst the sun sets and you are given an informal talk on the geological history of the area.

Day 3
You’ll be up at the first light of day and have a hot English breakfast.  The staff will load up the vehicle fridges with a picnic lunch and you’ll set off to explore, learn and be amazed. After a full day in the forests and floodplains, you’ll return to your camp for a sumptuous dinner and certain slumber.

Day 4
Today you will explore the waters of the Delta by boat. You’ll navigate through a maze of channels, stopping to admire rare birds and aquatic life. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a sandy bank and cool off at a safe swimming spot. Later you’ll return to your very own private, twinkly, fairy-lit camp on an island. Your crew has set this one-night, fly camp where you can sleep in a mosquito net tent surrounded by nature at her very best.

Day 5
You’ll rise early and take a short walk around the island before boarding your boat to meander along the waterways searching for hippo and bathing elephants. Your vehicles are waiting to take you to a picnic and siesta under the arms of a giant baobab. As the day cools down, you’ll watch for hunting cats. While you were sleeping under mosquito nets last night, your camp crew moved your camp to a new habitat. You arrive for dinner and stargazing before surrendering to sleep.

Day 6
Spend your last day seeking out your favorite species in this incredible Eden. Evening brings you back to camp for stories around the campfire, delicious dinner and slumber.

Day 7: Jack’s Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans & Kalahari Desert
This morning you bid farewell to your camp crew and transfer to the airstrip where you will board your plane for Jack’s Camp. The flight will give you a birds-eye view of the Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans and the Kalahari Desert.

Jack’s Camp is an oasis of civilization in the midst of a seemingly harsh environment. Jack’s is furnished in a traditional East African 1940s style – authentic, comfortable and elegant. Each of the ten spacious tents have Persian rugs, mahogany furniture, en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, flush toilets and hot and cold running water. Tonight you’ll enjoy sundowners around a fire and an elegant dinner at a very long table in the tented pavilion.

Day 8
After breakfast you’ll set out to visit some of the Kalahari’s meerkats (Timon to “The Lion King” fans). Don’t forget the camera; these guys love to pose with you!

Afterwards you’ll head for the “Chapman’s Baobab” which is the third largest tree in Africa. Return to camp for lunch and browse around the museum. Later this afternoon you’ll have an opportunity to set out on the pans on a quad-bike. You can watch the sun set and the stars appear.

Day 9
Spend the morning walking with Zu/’hoasi Bushmen trackers. Offering a window into the past, they will show you how they have survived in this harshest of environments, using their vast and ancient knowledge of plants, animal behavior and survival skills. You’ll spend the afternoon tracking the elusive brown hyena. Tonight’s dinner by candlelight is your last at Jack’s.

Day 10                 
This morning you’ll bid farewell to all at Jack’s Camp and transfer to the airstrip where you’ll board your plane for your onward journey.

Private Departures:
- This itinerary can be custom tailored for groups of four to twelve guests.

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Best of Southern Africa Safari

Sample Itinerary

15 nights/16 days

This ultimate “best of” safari begins in Cape Town, South Africa, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, where you’ll visit Robben Island, the Cape of Good Hope, the Cape Winelands and become a foodie if you’re not one already.  Botswana is the next stop, named the Lonely Planet’s “top country to visit in 2016.”  You can be quad biking across the salt pans and walking with the Bushmen one day and floating through the channels of the Okavango Delta the next.  Victoria Falls, the largest curtain of water on the planet provides the finale.  Flying between camps means less travel time and the luxury of spending more time at these amazing places. 

Photo: Kathie Broyles
Photo: Carol Oken
Photo: Carol Oken
Photo: Sun International
Photo: Uncharted Africa Safari Co.
Photo: Carol Oken
Photo: Carol Oken
Photo: UASC

Itinerary

Day 1

Your safari begins in Cape Town, South Africa. 

Day 2

Relax at the hotel today or opt to go to Robben Island later this morning to see where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners of the apartheid regime spent years. 

Day 3

Today is a full-day private Cape Peninsula tour with scenic drives along the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines and Chapman’s Peak.  Visit the Cape of Good Hope, and Boulders Beach to see the African Penguin Colony, and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

Day 4

Today is a full-day private Cheese, Wine & Chocolate tour with a relaxed lunch at one of the top Winelands restaurants.

Day 5                                                                    

Bid the Mother City a fond farewell and fly to Botswana to begin the next chapter of your adventures.

The saltpans of the Makgadikgadi are the remains of an ancient super lake and provide a striking contrast to the Okavango Delta.  Your first camp is set on the shore of an enormous sparkling salt pan.  Wildlife viewing begins with the search for some unique desert species -- aardvark, bat eared foxes, aardwolves and the elusive brown hyena which is the third rarest large carnivore in Africa. You will get unbelievable up close and personal with meerkats, go quad biking and spend time walking with a group of Zu/’hoasi Bushmen who who’ve inhabited this area for over 30,000 years. 

"This is one of the only places in the world where the silence is so complete you can hear the blood rushing through your ears."

Day 7

Experience the ultimate contrast today as you wing your way from the salt pans to the Okavango Delta. The Okavango is the world's largest inland delta - a unique ecosystem of labyrinthine waterways that create thousands of verdant, palm-studded islands.

Your experienced guide will be at your side as you watch lions hunting or silently observe elephants. You will glide through the maze of channels admiring the fantastic bird life and learn the ecology of the waters.

Day 10

You’ll move to another camp in the Okavango Delta to give you a bit of diversity.

Day 12

Today you’ll fly out of the Okavango Delta, again enjoying a bird’s-eye view of this “Eden” that you know so much more about than when you arrived.  The next stop is in the Linyanti/Selinda area. Unlike the watery Delta, this area features grassland, woodlands and marsh areas along the Linyanti River and is home for a wide variety of animals.  As the dry season begins, large herds of elephants and zebra are drawn to this water.

Day 14

You arrive in Livingstone, Zambia today to begin the final chapter of your adventures.  Enjoy a sunset cruise tonight on the mighty Zambezi River.

Day 15

Visit Victoria Falls, one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world.  The locals refer to it as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders,” and it is the largest curtain of water on the planet.  You can visit the markets, local village and local school this afternoon.

Day 16

Today you will be transferred to Livingstone Airport for your onward flights.

Additonal Information

Private Departures - This itinerary can be custom tailored for you for flexible dates, a variety of accommodation choices and activities.  Contact Duffle & Compass for a more information and suggested pre- and post-safari extensions.

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Accommodations

We work with a select few safari outfitters, lodges, and camps in Botswana. These are Duffle & Compass’ preferred providers. We look forward to introducing you to the ones that will be just right for you.

Moremi Game Reserve

This is the heart of the Okavango Delta. There are vast tracts of pristine wilderness here that afford exceptional game viewing.

Photo: David Crookes

Mombo

Mombo, which underwent a total rebuild in 2017, is located on the northern tip of Chief’s Island and offers arguably the best game viewing in Botswana with a concentration of plains game and all the predators.  Two large tents, make up the main areas for dining, bar and lounge.  The nine luxurious guest tents are raised on wooden decks facing the floodplain and shaded by giant jackalberry trees.  

Photo: David Crookes

Little Mombo Camp

Little Mombo, which also underwent a complete rebuild in 2017, is all about privacy and perfect for honeymooners or families traveling together. The three tented guest rooms are a fair distance from the rest of the main camp and the communal areas overlook the spectacular plains.  Built under a canopy of trees, each tent has its own private plunge pool and lounge area.  It is connected to Mombo Camp via a raised boardwalk.  As a year-round, exclusive wildlife destination, Mombo has a record unequalled in Africa.  

Photo: Xigera Camp

Xigera Camp

This is a permanent water camp in the Moremi Game Reserve that provides a true Delta experience gliding through the tranquil channels, trekking through foot safaris and game drives (when water levels allow), as well as the magnificent views of the seasonal floodplain and waterhole. This is a birder’s paradise to observe the Pel's fishing owl, African skimmer, slaty egret, wattled crane, lesser jacana and a host of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers. 

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Okavango Delta

Experiencing this unique wetlands paradise in the midst of the Kalahari Desert is the best reason to visit Botswana.  The view of the Delta from the skies above as you fly into your camp airstrip is an awesome one.  You will be able to safari by boat and mokoro in addition to game drives.

Photo: Mickey Hoyle

Abu Camp

Abu is a complete immersion into the natural environment of the African elephant. Experience the planet’s largest mammal with a full-on conservation program.  You will walk with the herd through the bush, observing them up close in the wild and getting to know their individual personalities. Stay in one of the six en-suite luxury tents with outdoor copper bath and plunge pool sunk into the teak deck.  And there is an option to sleep out in the elevated Star Bed where you can be lulled to sleep by elephant rumblings.  By the time you leave, you will feel a special, emotional connection to the Abu herd.

Photo: Caroline Culbert

Chitabe Camp

Chitabe is often recognized as the “Soul of the Delta” with their loyal and passionate team dedicated to the variety of habitats in the area. With the endangered African Wild Dog being a personal focus of the camp, day game drives give guests an opportunity to view buffalo, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, hippo, lion, leopard, and zebra; whereas night game drives give guests a glimpse into the rarer nocturnal animals in the area. 

Photo: Dave Hamman

Chitabe Lediba Camp

Chitabe Lediba is nearby Chitabe Camp,  and offers a much more intimate experience, making it an ideal stay for small groups or families. Guest can enjoy the multitude of wildlife that comes to drink by day from the comfort of the lagoon, or “lediba” in Setswana, from which this camp was named after. 

Photo: Great Plains Conservation

Duba Plains Camp

This newly re-built camp opened in March, 2017 on the same site and features five spacious guest tents and a two-bedroom Duba Plains Suite which comes with private guide, vehicle and staff.   The rebuild was designed by Dereck Joubert to fit into the forest.  All units have private plunge pools, rosewood decks, inside and outside showers, sumptuous bath, outside sala bed, a Canon camera and a pair of Swarovski binoculars to use while you are there.  This is a wildlife connoisseur’s dream!  The 77,000-acre reserve supports a stunning array of wildlife which is there for the guests of Duba Plains and Duba Expeditions exclusively.   

Photo: Great Plains Conservation

Duba Explorers Camp

Made famous by Dereck and Beverly Joubert's National Geographic film, Relentless Enemies, the Duba Reserve offers an idyllic experience on this private 77,000-acre reserve.  Five expedition-style tents sit on slightly raised decks with views of the surrounding floodplain.  The specially designed "puddle-jumper" Toyota Land Cruiser game drive vehicles used here and are equipped with camera mounts, and can travel through very high water levels  The lions of Duba are some of the largest in Africa and they hunt through the watery channels almost exclusively during daylight hours.

Photo: Dana Allen

Vumbura Plains

Vumbura Plains Camp is an outstanding example of Botswana’s innovative and sustainable approach to tourism working to benefit local villages and communities in partnership with the Okavango Community Trust. Vumbura Plains offers a high concentration of predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog offering an excellent wildlife experience on both land and water. 

Photo: Dana Allen

Little Vumbura Camp

Little Vumbura is situated on a secluded island, reachable only by boat, on the northern reaches of the Delta. Surrounded by water and lying close to large rivers, mokoros give guests a chance to glide through waterways whereas game drives by land allow guests to get close to animals in the savannah.

Photo: &Beyond

Nxabega Camp

The wide-open channels of the Delta spread out in front of this stunning camp where guests adventure by land and by water.   Nxabega, meaning “Place of the Giraffe,” boasts light, airy interiors and the nine tented suites with breathtaking views of the floodplain and all of its passing wildlife from private verandas.  Families can be accommodated in two multi-generational tents connected by a covered walkway.  The main camp includes stylish lounging and dining areas and a swimming pool.

Photo: &Beyond

Sandibe

Situated on a private concession in the magnificent Okavango Delta, Sandibe boasts exclusive traversing rights over a vast stretch of land adjacent to the wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve.  The twelve elegant suites are elevated above the landscape and feature magnificent Delta views, as well as private plunge pools, cozy fireplaces and secluded nooks.  Built with a commitment to treading lightly on the earth results in an organic architecture that blends seamlessly with the landscape.  

Photo: &Beyond

Xaranna

Xaranna is a wonderfully airy camp with just nine sleek en-suite safari tents on its own Delta island within a 62,000-acre exclusive wildlife concession. Your days are filled an array of activities from guided walking safaris, to interpretive game drives, eco-boat cruises and traditional mokoro excursions. Guests can also experience the unique landscape of the Okavango Delta on a half or full day horse-riding adventure, providing an opportunity to venture up close to the Delta’s spectacular wildlife and bird species.

Photo: &Beyond

Xudum Lodge

Xudum features thrilling day and night game drives, guided daytime walks, mokoro excursions and eco-boat cruises.  Horseback riding safaris are also offered on a full-day or half-day basis for those who want to venture up close to the wildlife.  There are nine playfully crafted split-level suites with unique rooftop hideouts at Xudum.

Photo: Carol Oken

Baines' Camp

With just five suites, this intimate camp is built on raised platforms high above the Boro River in a private area bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Your bed can be wheeled out onto your private deck for a night under the stars.  And you’ll want to indulge in the star bath which is a real highlight.  Game drives, seasonal mokoro and boat excursions are on offer.  The special “living with elephants” immersive experience gives you an opportunity to walk through the bush with two semi-habituated elephants that have been cared for by Doug and Sandi Groves.

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Linyanti Wildlife Reserve

The Linyanti Wildlife Reserve is bordered by the Linyanti River on the north and Chobe National Park in the east. The Kwando River comes from the Angola highlands, flowing through Zambia and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia before becoming the Linyanti River. More than half of the Savute Channel is included in the reserve. Between 1980 and 2008 the channel was dry and much of the area was open grassland, home to a wide variety of animals.  During 2008, the Savute Channel flowed, creating a water source that rapidly filled with aquatic life, wide varieties of water birds and hippo. Unlike the watery Delta, this area is grassland, woodlands and marsh areas along the Linyanti River. The dry winter months here bring large herds of elephants and zebra to the river.

Photo: Dana Allen

DumaTau Camp

Rebuilt in late 2012, DumaTau Camp operates in a completely sustainable manner, offering several platforms and hides to view and photograph the surrounding wildlife. While the camp’s special barge can bring guests directly on the water to see hippo and waterfowl in their natural habitats. 

Photo: Mickey Hoyle

Kings Pool Camp

Visited by the King of Sweden decades ago, this spectacularly luxurious camp overlooks the Kings Pool Lagoon and the Linyanti River to give guests several opportunities to experience the fascinating birds and game that visit the nearby swamps. The camp’s double-decker pontoon cruises the river whereas one of the camp’s hides is actually located underground, giving you a water level view of elephants cooling off in the afternoon.

Photo: Dana Allen

Savuti Camp

This playful camp is situated about ten miles downstream from the source of the Savute Channel and has a high concentration of plains wildlife. The highlight of Savuti is the waterhole close to camp where you can view large numbers of animals, while enjoying afternoon tea on the shaded deck or in an open-air 4x4 Land Rover.

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Selinda Reserve

This 320,000-acre private wildlife reserve straddles both the Okavango Delta in the west and the Linyanti wetlands and savannahs in the east.  The reserve is rich in game and famous for its low tourist density, which offers a peaceful and private wildlife-viewing experience. There are still places in this reserve where no person has ever set foot before.  The Selinda Reserve follows the course of the Selinda Spillway as it connects the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti and Kwando river systems. The Selinda Spillway is a river that can flow in two directions, depending on where the water levels are the highest. 

Photo: Great Plains Conservation

Selinda Camp

Owned by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, award-winning filmmakers for National Geographic, this area is famous for lion versus hippo interactions.  Set in a pristine wilderness area, the camp rests on the banks of the eastern Selinda Spillway an ancient waterway which flows in two directions.  This is home to large herds of elephant and buffalo.  There are nine tented villas, including a family room for those travelling with children.  

Photo: Great Plains Conservation

Selinda Explorers Camp

This exclusive-use camp is designed in the romantic style of the early explorers and set on the banks of the Selinda Spillway. Activities concentrate on getting back to nature with guided walking and canoeing tours to view sable and roan antelope; and day and night game drives to showcase huge herds of elephants and buffalo. The camp is closed December through February.

Photo: Great Plains Conservation

Zarafa Camp

Overlooking the Zibadianja Lagoon this is an ideal place for those who prefer a more intimate experience in the tradition of a bygone safari era. Capture your experience with a professional camera and lenses that are provided to each of the four magnificent tented villas. The main guest area, sits on raised decking for optimal views over the lagoon.

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Kalahari & Makgadikgadi

The saltpans of the Makgadikgadi are the remains of an ancient super lake and provide a striking contrast to the Okavango Delta.  Spending a few days here and in the Kalahari grasslands will give you an appreciation for the diversity of Botswana wilderness.  You’ll see the animals, birds and vegetation of the desert and have the opportunity to experience the San Bushmen, who’ve inhabited this area for over 30,000 years.

Photo: David Crookes

Jack’s Camp

Situated in the heart of Makgadikgadi, Jack’s Camp, originally established in the 60’s by the legendary Jack Bousfield, is truly like nowhere else on earth. Ten stylish canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms and indoor and outdoor showers sit in the midst of a palm grove.  Guests explore the astonishingly beautiful wilderness by foot with the San Bushmen, on quad bikes, 4x4 safari vehicles with expert guides, or on an adventurous horseback ride.

Photo: Uncharted Africa Safari Co.

San Camp

Entirely re-done in 2011, San Camp facilities include a charming tea tent, a yoga pavilion, and a magnificent mess tent containing a small natural history museum. You can hang out with a gang of habituated, but wild meerkats, and gaze with awe at the enormous baobab trees that have stood here for centuries. Explore the vast Makgadikgadi on a thrilling horseback ride or quad bikes during the dry season.  San Camp operates from April to October.

Photo: Unchartered Africa Safari Co.

Camp Kalahari

Tucked away on Brown Hyena Island, guests can take in the stark beauty of the Kalahari region from this camp that was rebuilt in 2013. Daily adventures can range from: guided walks with Bushmen trackers, scenic nature drives to Green’s Baobab and Horse Safaris to get up close and personal with meerkats and other wildlife.

 

Photo: Dana Allen

Kalahari Plains Camp

This camp is situated in a remote part of the diverse Central Kalahari Game Reserve and offers some of the best summer wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa. Short grasses sprout in the pan systems and fossil riverbeds attract a plethora of plains game which converge by the hundreds to graze. Wildebeest, steenbok and red hartebeest join in the feast, and all these are followed by predators such as lion, cheetah, and jackal.  

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Travel Information

When to go to Botswana
The months of May to November are the dry season and considered by some to be the best time to safari in Botswana. Temperatures in June and July are the coolest with daytime highs reaching 75 F. October is hot with 90 F days. Rains generally begin in December with January and February being the wettest months.

Passport & Visa                                                                        

A valid passport is required to enter Botswana. Visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days.  A $30 tourism development levy is currently under consideration, but not yet implemented.  This would be paid by all travelers (including day visitors) on arrival at all ports of entry.  This does not apply to children aged nine years and younger.  Payment would be done with debit and credit cards or cash.  

For further information: The Embassy of the Republic of Botswana in Washington, D.C. & U.S. State Department

Traveling with Children
All children under the age of 18 traveling to or departing from Botswana are required to carry a certified copy of their birth certificate along with their passport. Additional requirements are necessary in the event of a child travelling:
- With one parent
- With someone who is not their parent i.e. family member or friend
- With their adopted parents
- As an unaccompanied minor

Medical Information
Before traveling to Africa, please consult with your physician. No mandatory vaccinations are required to visit Botswana. You will need a malaria prophylaxis.

For further information: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Botswana